In the late 1960s/early 1970s, Horse & Rider magazine had a monthly penpal column. You could send in your name and address, they'd print it, and people would then write to you. (Can you imagine a magazine publishing kids' names and contact info now?)
I ended up with fifty plus penpals, and two of them, Sue Seese and Beth Dickinson, became some of my closest friends. (I just mailed off a letter to Sue Friday and got one from Beth a couple of weeks ago.) Both women were part of the early hobby, and while Sue went on to showing Quarter Horses, Beth has continued on in the hobby.
A 1975 letter that Sue sent to me when I was in college and living on campus at Purdue.
Sue Seese today.
Sue is currently battling breast cancer but is doing remarkably well. She now lives in Oregon with her husband, Craig, but is originally from a suburb of Los Angeles in California. As such, she had contacts in the entertainment industry. Ever watch the old TV show, Gilligan's Island? I got to ride Gilligan's horse while visiting Sue in 1975!
As time passed and Sue became successful in her career, she was fortunate to be able to own and show high end Quarter Horses. She boarded at the same facility where William Shatner kept his Saddlebreds and became good friends with Bill and his wife, Nerine. In the early 1990s and knowing that I love Star Trek, Sue surprised me with a gift.
Shatner had begun writing Scifi/tech/fantasy books and she had asked him to autograph his most recent one for me.
That was a huge thrill for me! (Still is. Haha!)
Sue on her first horse, a Thoroughbred named Stormy.
Sue and I were alike in many aspects, one of which was that we were largely self-taught when it came to horses. Both of us had taken a few riding lessons, but our real knowledge was learned from reading tons of books and then from experience caring for our own backyard horses.
Seeing the Jaws display at Universal Studios during a 1975 visit with Sue. We had both just graduated from high school.
An old photo booth picture of the two of us.
When Sue decided to focus on her Quarter Horses, she gifted me with her three favorite model horses.
Tico is the Stretch Morgan and the Jumping Horse is On the Run.
And this is Apache Dancer, her favorite model of all. It was bittersweet to receive them as I was sad that she was leaving the hobby, but I still cherish these models to this day.
They are a lovely reminder of a long enduring friendship.
Commenting for the third giveaway is open until 11:59 PM EDT Thursday! There are three things inside this cowpoke haversack that are included if you win.
